Securement of hands-free ultrasound probe

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an ultrasound probe securement device to secure an ultrasound probe to a patient. The securement device can include a probe coupling mechanism to couple an ultrasound probe to the securement device, a patient coupling mechanism to couple the securement device to a patient, and a constraining mechanism to maintain an acoustic coupling of the ultrasound probe with the patient during an ultrasound procedure without user intervention.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 an ultrasound probe including a display pivotably coupled therewith; and 
 a securement device configured to secure the ultrasound probe to a patient, the securement device comprising a container in a form of a bag, the container defining an interior space filled with a gel, the interior space divided into an inner compartment and an outer compartment extending radially outward from the inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment and the outer compartment:
 are separated by a wall of the container, and 
 each include an external surface configured to contact the patient, the container including: 
 a probe coupling mechanism configured to couple the ultrasound probe to the securement device, the probe coupling mechanism including the inner compartment defining a central depression configured to receive at least a portion of a probe head of the ultrasound probe; and 
 a patient coupling mechanism configured to couple the securement device to the patient. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein, during use, ultrasound signals from the ultrasound probe pass through the securement device into the patient. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securement device is configured to constrain the ultrasound probe in an established location with respect to the patient. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securement device is configured to constrain the ultrasound probe in an established orientation with respect to the patient. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securement device is configured to maintain acoustic coupling of the ultrasound probe with the patient during ultrasound imaging of a blood vessel. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securement device is configured to maintain acoustic coupling of the ultrasound probe with the patient during insertion of a medical device into a blood vessel. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gel within the inner compartment is an acoustic coupling material configured to facilitate transmission of ultrasound signals through the securement device. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a frictional outer surface configured to inhibit sliding displacement of the ultrasound probe with respect to the securement device, and to inhibit sliding displacement of the securement device with respect to the patient. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gel within the outer compartment includes elevated density material to facilitate coupling of the securement device to the patient via a gravitational force, the elevated density material having a density between about 0.5 and 1.0 g/ml, between about 1.0 and 1.5 g/ml, between about 1.5 and 2.0 g/ml, or greater than about 2.0 g/ml. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the elevated density material includes a density between about 1.5 and 2.0 g/ml, or greater than about 2.0 g/ml. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed of a urethane polymeric material. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer compartment extends radially outward beyond an outer perimeter of the ultrasound probe, the outer compartment configured to contact the patient beyond the outer perimeter. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to conform to a contour of the patient.